Manchester United says it's 'committed' to club's 100m fans in China during Tour 2016
Manchester United and commercial partner Gulf Oil International have issued a joint statement to declare commitment to China.
Manchester United commits to China
Manchester United is currently in China on its ‘Tour 2016’, presented by AON. At an event in Shanghai it announced that both the football club and the fuel brand have similar growth plans for one of the world’s biggest and growing economies.
Manchester United claims it has over 100 million fans in the country. Gulf Oil International will be looking to align itself with this scale after it signed as the football team’s first Official Global Lubricant Oil and Fuel Retail Partner last year.
Manchester United commercial director, Jamie Reigle, said: “We have been proud to underline our continued commitment to China both on and off the football pitch. We enjoy the passionate and loyal support of more than 100 million followers here, making this the country with more Manchester United fans than any other in the world.
“Gulf’s very impressive strategy for China is naturally focused on its own industry and we are here preparing for the season ahead. We have been impressed by the government’s drive to make this a footballing powerhouse and are exploring opportunities for future co-operation. Our fundamental message, however, is the same; we are industry leaders who believe in partnership achieving mutual growth. We are better together, when we stand United,” he added.
At the event the two businesses created a ‘Wall of Histories’ to help tell Chinese people about the heritage of each of the brands. According to Gulf Oil International, its key growth markets have been China, Indonesia and the Middle East.